Last week, the Deputy Commissioner of Karachi Central, Taha Saleem, held a meeting with the Katchi Abadis Department of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation where he gave instructions for them to survey an informal settlement located on the small rainwater drains that flow into Gujjar Nullah.

The Director of Katchi Abadis, KMC, Mazhar Khan, said that the survey will likely take four to five days. After the survey, they will determine how many houses need to be demolished, he added.

Just had a productive meeting with KMC Kachi Abadi Department to discuss the survey of Abadi in Central. Exciting times ahead for improving the infrastructure and living standards in the area! #urbanplanning #development pic.twitter.com/EQA93ItDIE

— Deputy Commissioner Karachi Central (@DCKhiCentral) May 19, 2023

The Anti-Encroachment Department will send eviction notices to people living in the demarcated houses. Director Mazhar Khan said no compensation will be offered to people living in houses built on the nullah (drain).

The Director emphasized that they are doing this solely to make it easy for rainwater to drain off from the area in order to protect people from urban flooding.

KMC is responsible for the city’s 38 nullahs which are being cleaned under a World Bank project. In 2020, Karachi experienced its worst urban flooding as its natural waterways, the nullahs, were blocked by construction. A lack of long term strategic land-use planning means informal settlements spring up in areas which need to be kept clear. However, the devastation that results from evictions has been condemned by human rights groups.